The Rundown – 07.08.17

Aug 7 2017
BY
Rachel Ayeh-Datey

It’s been a busy week. So much so that you probably haven’t had the time to catch up with everything going on in the world. Fortunately, (for you), we’ve got your back. Here’s what happened this week in the worlds of Politics, Technology, Sports, Music and World alongside a few other miscellaneous bits that caught our eye.

Politics

UK universities could lose talented EU staff unless they receive “greater clarity” from the government on the post-Brexit rights of EU nationals, according to the Russell Group. The group of top research universities says Brexit is causing EU staff “uncertainty and anxiety” and making the recruitment of others harder.

The governor of the Bank of England has warned that uncertainty over Brexit is already weighing on the economy.Mark Carney’s comments came as the Bank voted to hold rates and cut growth forecasts.

A Labour supporter told a Conservative general election candidate that “assassination was too good for him” and told him to jump off a high bridge. Julian Isaacs, 59, admitted sending threatening Facebook messages to former MP Oliver Colvile in May at Plymouth Magistrates Court.

The first six months of the new lower benefit cap has seen 68,000 families having their welfare cut for the first time, losing each around £50 a week. The current cap applies to working-age adults and is £20,000 a year outside London and £23,000 in the capital, having been £26,000 across the UK.

World

The actor Robert Hardy, star of TV series All Creatures Great and Small, has died aged 91, his family has said. Hardy, they said, had a “tremendous life” and “a giant career in theatre, television and film spanning more than 70 years”. He was also known for numerous portrayals of Winston Churchill. He also appeared as Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic, in four of the Harry Potter films.

A man who died after a police chase in London had a package in his throat containing “a mixture of paracetamol and caffeine”, investigators have said. Rashan Charles was followed by officers in Dalston on 22 July and became ill after putting an object in his mouth. In a statement, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the package was “wrapped in plastic”.

US President Donald Trump urged the Mexican president to stop publicly saying he would not pay for a proposed border wall, according to transcripts. Mr Trump admonished Enrique Pena Nieto for publicly denouncing the wall during a 27 January phone call, transcripts obtained by the Washington Post show. “You cannot say that to the press,” he reportedly told him.

US President Donald Trump says his country’s relationship with Russia is at a “dangerous low”, amid a feud with Congress over new sanctions imposed against Moscow.

Music

SZA has released a new video for “Supermodel,” a standout track from her Ctrl album. The video was set in fairy filled woodland area.

Rihanna is giving bikes to girls in Malawi to help them get an education.It’s part of a new partnership between the singer’s Clara Lionel Foundation and Chinese bike-sharing company Ofo. The campaign called 1 Km Action will fund scholarships to help hundreds of girls attend secondary schools in Malawi. Those who qualify for a scholarship will receive bikes to make sure they get to school.

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five’s Kidd Creole has been arrested and charged with murder. A New York Police Department spokesman confirmed to Variety that the 57-year-old rapper was taken into custody in the Bronx and charged on Wednesday. According to ABC7, Kidd Creole – whose real name is Nathaniel Glover – allegedly stabbed a 55-year-old homeless man to death in Manhattan on Tuesday, following an argument.

Technology

Emailing has held on to the top spot as the most common internet activity in Britain, despite the continued rise of social media, a survey has found. Some 82% of adults say they most often use the web for email, the Office for National Statistics reported – a rise of three percentage points since 2016.

Parents are divided about whether it is right to post photos of one’s children to social media, according to a study by the UK’s communications watchdog. Ofcom reported that just over half of parents it surveyed said they avoided what it termed “sharenting” altogether. A desire to protect the privacy of under-18s was the most commonly given reason, it said.

A range of liquid-filled iPhone cases is being recalled after reports of skin irritation and chemical burns associated with the products. The cases, some of which carry the Victoria’s Secret brand, contain glitter floating beneath their plastic surface. Consumers are at risk of irritation, blisters or burns if the liquid leaks and comes into contact with skin.

The US Secret Service plans to test a security drone when President Trump visits his New Jersey golf club later this month, according to a document seen by Reuters. A small drone will be trialled by the agency at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

Jailed former Olympian Oscar Pistorius has been taken to hospital, authorities have confirmed. Pistorius was jailed for six years in 2016 for murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. An official statement confirmed that Pistorius “was this morning taken to an outside hospital establishment for medical examination”.

Amir Khan accused fellow British boxer Anthony Joshua of having a relationship with his wife, Faryal Makhdoom. Khan announced they are separating in a fiery exchange on Twitter. Anthony Joshua swiftly denied the allegations.

Alexis Sanchez will stay at Arsenal for this season and will “respect” that decision, says manager Arsene Wenger. The 28-year-old forward, who is a reported target for Manchester City and Paris St-Germain, is entering the final year of his deal at Emirates Stadium.

Barcelona forward Neymar has paid his buyout clause of 222m euros (£200m), the Spanish club say. Neymar, 25, is set to sign for Paris St-Germain for a world record fee, after telling Barca he wanted to leave on Wednesday.

Former heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko has retired from boxing – ruling out a rematch with Britain’s Anthony Joshua. The Ukrainian, 41, was knocked out in the 11th round by current champion Joshua at Wembley Stadium in April. Joshua, 27, had hoped Klitschko would sign his rematch clause for a proposed fight in Las Vegas on 11 November.

Miscellaneous

The NHS in England has announced it will finally give people a drug to dramatically reduce the risk of being infected with HIV, from next month. The health service had previously fought against paying for Prep and even took the issue to court, unsuccessfully, last year. The drug will be given to 10,000 people in a £10m trial lasting three years.

A breast surgeon who intentionally wounded his patients has had his 15-year jail term increased to 20 years. Ian Paterson, 59, who appeared at the Court of Appeal via video link, was told his current sentence was “not sufficient” to reflect the seriousness and the totality of his offending.

South African Airways (SAA) has run out of money and is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, according to information given to the country’s parliament. It is thought the national carrier may soon be unable to pay salaries.

The very poorest children in England have fallen even further behind their non-disadvantaged classmates since 2007, research says. The Education Policy Institute study suggests the most disadvantaged pupils are more than two years behind their classmates when they sit their GCSEs. These children were those entitled to free school meals for 80% of their time at secondary school. The Education Secretary has warned of a social mobility emergency.